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The Latter Days in the Old Testament

Eschatology precedes soteriology. Find out why in this essay.

Two Ages: Evaluating a Biblical concept

If the cosmos has changed over time, as redemptive history has moved from through “five worlds” from creation (Genesis 1–2) to the new creation (Revelation 21–22), then there have also been covenantal changes, too. In the beginning, God made a covenant with Adam (Gen. 2:15–17; cf. Hos. 6:7), which is often called the “covenant of works.” Then, after the flood, God re-established a covenant with Noah and all creation. As Genesis 9:8–17 reports, God hung his bow in the sky as

Getting Into Macro-Eschatology: Seeing The Five Worlds God Has Made

Last Sunday I introduced something I called “macro-eschatology.” Macro-eschatology is an approach to redemptive history that sees the end of things (eschatology) as fulfilling, restoring, and superseding the beginning of things (protology). At the center of this approach to reading the Bible is the person and the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who stands at the center of God’s plan to unite all things in creation. As Ephesians 1:9–10 tell us, Christ is the one who will

The ABCs of Eschatology (Pt 2): 14 More Key words

Last time, I introduced fourteen key words for understanding some basic concepts in the study of last things (eschatology). Today, I will complete my basic glossary with fourteen more terms, in hopes that these definitions will help improve present and future discussions about eschatology. You can also listen to the Sunday School that explains many of these terms. And if you would like a handout of the glossary, scroll to the bottom. (15) The Intermediate and Final States. W

The ABC’s of Eschatology (Pt. 1): Key Words to understanding end times

Eschatology is a word that means the study (-ology) of last things (eschatos). And in that study there are lots of words that are familiar (*resurrection), unfamiliar (*preterist), and debated (*rapture). Likewise, terms like millennium and tribulation are ones that have multiple definitions, and figures like the *antichrist, whose common description may or may not match John’s use of the word. Knowing that sound doctrine and fruitful discussions require clear definitions,

Twelve Books to Read Before the End of the World

When I teach Systematic Theology to seminarians, I make students read two books on eschatology and I recommend about twenty. Since I recently began a Sunday School series on the subject of eschatology, I wanted to share that list with you. You can also listen to the classes here. The Two Most Important Books on Eschatology Benjamin Gladd and Matthew Harmon, Making All Things New: Inaugurated Eschatology for the Life of the Church (2016). This is my go-to book for eschatolog

Nine Things You Should Know About Noah . . . and Two More

I love it when the Bible meets theology meets culture. Today Joe Carter triangulates those three in his illuminating “Nine Things You Should Know about Noah.” Highlighting the facts about, Joe Carter reminds us of who Noah really is and not just who Hollywood would make him out to be. Beginning with the literary construction of the Noah narrative in … Continue reading Nine Things You Should Know About Noah . . . and Two More

Good News for Bleeding Hearts and Broken Bones

As I have been reading in the Psalms, I’ve noticed an interesting theme: The sorrow of sinners (and those suffering from the sins of others) affects their bodies. More specifically it afflicts their “bones.” Take a listen to some of the laments offered by David and others. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal … Continue reading Good News for Bleeding Hearts and Broken Bones

The ‘Heart’: A Biblical-Theological Sketch

The Bible regularly refers to the human heart. Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And to love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29-30). Proverbs 4:23 indicate that guarding the heart protects the wellsprings of life. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that … Continue reading The ‘Heart’: A Biblical-Theological Sketch

A Decade in the Making: Rightly Understanding Matthew 5:8

No verse of Scripture has been more effective in keeping me sexually pure than Matthew 5:8. When I first became a believer, I went to a weekend retreat called Purity & Holiness. It was a two-day seminar designed to teach young people about dating, sex, and marriage. I bless God for its impact on my life. … Continue reading A Decade in the Making: Rightly Understanding Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the Pure in Heart

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 Today I preached Matthew 5:8, which promises that the pure in heart will see God. In truth, everyone will one day see God. The question becomes, Will that beatific vision be a reason for rejoicing? Or, will it be a moment of … Continue reading Blessed are the Pure in Heart

The Meek Will Inherit the Earth Tomorrow and Impact the World Today

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) In his classic work on the Sermon on the Mount, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones contrasts the weakness of powerful organization and the power of spiritual meekness. On this Lord’s Day, consider which you are seeking: But further, this Beatitude comes, alas, in the form … Continue reading The Meek Will Inherit the Earth Tomorrow and Impact the World Today

Resources for Personal Disciple-Making

Mark Mellinger of The Gospel Coalition interviewed Randy Pope about his approach to intentional disciple-making. Pope’s model is the kind of intensive, intentional ministry that I’ve been sharing with our church and have been imparting to a handful of guy at our church. If you have ten minutes the video is well worth watching. Randy Pope … Continue reading Resources for Personal Disciple-Making

“For the Sake of My Name”: Why God’s Pursuit of ‘His’ Glory Secures Our Good

Understanding the glory of God and God’s purposes in salvation history can be hard. First, the God’s singular pursuit of his glory is hard to accept because it crushes our innate man-centeredness. Second, the glory of God is hard to understand because it requires a wide-ranging biblical theology to see how God pursues his glory … Continue reading “For the Sake of My Name”: Why God’s Pursuit of ‘His’ Glory Secures Our Good

What Does Genuine Mercy Look Like?

What does mercy look like? In Matthew 5:7, Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” The mercy that God will give refers in this passage to the divine favor that God will grant to his merciful children on the day of judgment. But what does it mean to be merciful now? … Continue reading What Does Genuine Mercy Look Like?

Divine Weightlessness: The Fundamental Problem in Evangelicalism

This year, I am reading through David Wells six works on the role of theology in American Evangelicalism (disambiguation: David Wells the South African-born theologian, not the former MLB pitcher). In years past, I’ve read selected chapters from his books, but this year I am taking the plunge and diving into his whole corpus. For those … Continue reading Divine Weightlessness: The Fundamental Problem in Evangelicalism

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